Milk conduit, and a milk conduit assembly

ABSTRACT

A milk conduit, that connects to a teatcup to be attached to a teat of an animal to be milked, includes a first end portion defining a first end and configured to be connected to the teatcup, a second end portion defining a second end, and a conduit portion located between the first end portion and the second end portion. The milk conduit defines a milk channel extending through the first end portion, the conduit portion and the second end portion. The first end portion is received in an opening extending through a bottom wall of the teatcup. The first end portion includes a first circumferential groove configured that engages in the bottom wall of the teatcup.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention refers generally to teatcups to be attached to theteats of an animal to be milked. More specifically, the presentinvention refers to a milk conduit according to claim 1 to be connectedto a teatcup liner of a teatcup. Furthermore, the present inventionrefers to a milk conduit assembly according to claim 10.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART

Teatcups used today typically consist of two separate main parts, ashell and a teatcup liner mounted in the shell. The teatcup liner is anarticle of consumption that is subjected to wear, and thus has to bereplaced on a regular basis. The replacement of the teatcup liner is atime-consuming and difficult work, requiring dismounting of the teatcupliner from the shell and mounting of a new teatcup liner in the shell.

Traditionally, the teatcup liner forms one single part together with theshort milk conduit. In order to enable replacement of only the barrel ofthe teatcup liner, it is know to produce teatcup liners being separatefrom the milk conduit. Examples of such separate milk conduits aredisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,895,890 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,895,892.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,895,890 discloses a milk conduit configured to beconnected to a teatcup liner of a teatcup to be attached to a teat of ananimal to be milked. The milk conduit comprises a first end portiondefining a first end and configured to be connected to the teatcup, asecond end portion defining a second end, and a conduit portion betweenthe first end portion and the second end portion. The milk conduitdefines a milk channel extending through the first end portion, theconduit portion and the second end portion. The first end portion isconfigured to be received on a nipple extending downwardly from theteatcup.

Such a connection of the milk conduit to the teatcup is disadvantageoussince it makes the dismounting and the mounting of the teatcup to themilk conduit difficult and time-consuming. Also the sealing between themilk conduit, the pulsation chamber and the surrounding environment maycause problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to overcome the problemsdiscussed above, and to provide a milk conduit that enables a quick andsecure attachment of the milk conduit to a teatcup.

This object is achieved the milk conduit initially defined characterisedin that the first end portion is configured to be received in an openingextending through a bottom wall of the teatcup, and that the first endportion comprises a first circumferential groove configured to engagesaid bottom wall.

Such circumferential groove permits the milk conduit to be firmlymounted in the teatcup. The milk conduit may be easily mounted through apulling movement through the opening from the teatcup side with thesecond end portion first. When the wall surrounding the opening duringthe pulling movement, reaches the circumferential groove the wall willsnap into the circumferential groove so that the milk conduit issecurely connected to the teatcup. The milk conduit may be easilydismounted from the teatcup by being bent downwards mainly in thedirection of the pulling movement.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the first end portion hasan external tapering shape from the first end to the conduit portion.Such a tapering such further facilitates the mounting of the milkconduit, especially the last distance of the pulling movement before thewall snaps into the circumferential groove. Advantageously, the firstcircumferential groove is positioned at a distance from the first endand at a distance from the conduit portion.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the milk channel ofthe first end portion has an internal tapering shape from the first endtowards the milk channel of the conduit portion. The internal taperingshape may provide a radial seal with the part of the teatcup introducedtherein when the milk conduit is connected to the teatcup. The milkchannel, from the inner space of the teatcup liner, will thus besecurely sealed with respect to the surrounding environment and thepulsation chamber of the teatcup. Such a radial sealing, in contrast toan axial sealing, reduces the forces needed for mounting the milkconduit to the teatcup, and also facilitates the guiding of the teatcupand the milk conduit during the mounting. Furthermore, the internaltapering shape contributes to a proper laminar milk flow. The internaltapering shape may advantageously be conical or substantially conical.Advantageously, the first end may be defined by a plane, orsubstantially plane, end surface, from which the internal tapering shapeextends.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the second endportion comprises a second circumferential groove. Such a groovefacilitates the mounting of the milk conduit to a milk-receiving ormilk-collecting member, such as a claw. Advantageously, the secondcircumferential groove is positioned at a distance from the second endand at a distance from the conduit portion. Furthermore, the second endportion may have an external tapering shape from the second end to theconduit portion.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the milk conduit ismanufactured of a hose material having a relatively high elasticity.Such a hose material may be rubber, black rubber, silicone rubber orThermoplastic Elastomers, TPE.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the conduit portioncomprises an bending area having a locally increased elasticity toprovide a predetermined area for bending of the milk conduit.Advantageously, the bending area is formed by a locally decreased outerdiameter of the conduit portion.

The object is also achieved by the milk conduit assembly initiallydefined which comprises a milk conduit and a connector configured toconnect the milk conduit to the teatcup, wherein the connector comprisesa casing, which defines a longitudinal centre axis and comprises

-   -   a bottom wall and an inner surface defining a connection space,    -   an inlet opening to the connection space, and    -   an outlet opening extending through the bottom wall and        receiving and holding the milk conduit.

The milk conduit fits properly in such a connector by means of which theteatcup may be quickly and securely connected to the milk conduit.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the bottom wallengages the first circumferential groove. Advantageously, the bottomwall may be is plane, or substantially plane. Furthermore, the bottomwall may extend perpendicularly to the longitudinal centre axis. The endsurface of the first end portion of the milk conduit may, when the milkconduit is mounted in the connector, be perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the casing is madeof a shell material having a relatively high stiffness, and thus arelatively low elasticity, especially in comparison with the elasticityof the milk conduit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be explained more closely by means of adescription of various embodiments and with reference to the drawingsattached hereto.

FIG. 1 discloses a longitudinal section of a teatcup comprising orconnected to a milk conduit.

FIG. 2 discloses an exploded longitudinal section of a cartridge of theteatcup in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 discloses a section of the milk conduit in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 discloses a section of a connector of the teatcup in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 discloses a section of a pulse conduit of the teatcup in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 discloses a teatcup to be attached to a teat of an animal to bemilked. The teatcup comprises a cartridge 1 and a connector 2. Theteatcup may also comprise a lip member 3. In addition, the teatcup maycomprise or be connected to a milk conduit 4, such as a short milkconduit. Moreover, the teatcup may comprise or be connected to a pulseconduit 5.

A longitudinal centre axis x extends through and along the teatcup, i.e.the cartridge 1, the connector 2 and the lip member 3. The longitudinalcentre axis x also extends through and along the milk conduit 4 when itis in a rest state as disclosed in FIG. 1.

The cartridge 1, see also FIG. 2, comprises a sleeve 6 having an upperend 6 a and a lower end 6 b, and a teatcup liner 7 mounted in the sleeve6. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the cartridge is shown in a mounted state, i.e. theteatcup liner 7 is mounted in the sleeve 6. The teatcup liner 7 has orforms an inner space 8 for receiving the teat. A pulsation chamber 9 isprovided or formed between an inner side of the sleeve 6 and an outerside of the teatcup liner 7.

The teatcup liner 7 comprises an upper end portion 7 a located at theupper end 6 a of the sleeve 6, a barrel portion 7 c and a lower endportion 7 b located at the lower end of the sleeve 6. The barrel portion7 c is an intermediate tubular portion provided between and adjoiningthe upper end portion 7 a and the lower end portion 7 b. The barrelportion 7 c is the main part of the teatcup liner 7 and is in contactwith the teat of the animal during milking.

The lower end portion 7 b extends from a position within the sleeve 6away from and beyond the lower end 6 b of the sleeve 6. The lower endportion 7 b forms an end nozzle 10. The end nozzle 10 is the part of thelower end portion 7 b that extends beyond the lower end 6 b of thesleeve 6. The end nozzle 10 forms an outlet from the inner space 8.

The end nozzle 10 has a tapering external shape configured to bereceived in the milk conduit 4 for transporting the milk from the innerspace 8 to the milk conduit 4. The end nozzle 10 also has a taperinginternal shape forming a tapering outlet for the milk from the innerspace 8 of the teatcup liner 7.

The barrel portion 7 c of the teatcup liner 7 is made of a firstmaterial having a relatively high elasticity. The lower end portion 7 bof the teatcup liner 7 is made of a second material, which is differentfrom the first material and has a different composition. The secondmaterial has a relatively low elasticity in comparison with therelatively high elasticity of the first material of the barrel portion 7c.

The first material may consist of or comprise rubber, black rubber,silicone rubber, elastic polymers, such as Thermoplastic Elastomers,TPE, or any other suitable elastic material.

The second material may consist of or comprise a suitable polymer withlow elasticity, such as polyeten, polypropene, etc.

The upper end portion 7 a is made in a third material having arelatively low elasticity in comparison with the relatively highelasticity of the first material of the barrel portion 7 c. The thirdmaterial may be a material having similar or the same composition and/orproperties as the second material of the lower end portion 7 b.

The barrel portion 7 c is attached to the lower end portion 7 b by alower permanent joint 11. Such a permanent joint 11 may be formed by amelt joint, a weld joint or a chemical bonding between the firstmaterial and the second material.

The barrel portion 7 c is also attached to the upper end portion 7 a byan upper permanent joint 12. Such a permanent joint 12 may be formed bya melt joint, a weld joint or a chemical bonding between the firstmaterial and the third material.

The lower and/or upper permanent joints 11, 12 my be formed by meltingof at least one of the first material and the second material at thepermanent joint. The lower and/or upper permanent joints 11, 12 may alsobe obtained through vulcanisation.

Alternatively, the barrel portion 7 c and the lower end portion 7 band/or the upper end portion 7 a are made of the same material, forinstance in one single piece, preferably through injection moulding.

The sleeve 6 is made of a fourth material having a relatively lowelasticity. The fourth material may be a material having similar or thesame composition and/or properties as the same material as the secondmaterial.

The lower end portion 7 b of the teatcup liner 7 comprises a lowerengagement member 14, which engages the sleeve 6 in such a manner thatthe barrel portion 7 c of the teatcup liner 7 is maintained in astretched state in the sleeve 6. The lower engagement member 14comprises, or is formed as, an annular flange extending outwardly atleast beyond an inner diameter of an end surface of the lower end 6 b ofthe sleeve 6. The annular flange of the lower end portion 7 b may extendradially or substantially radially outwardly with respect to thelongitudinal centre axis x. The annular flange of the lower end portion7 b extends beyond and abuts the end surface of the lower end 6 b of thesleeve 6.

The upper end portion 7 a of the teatcup liner 7 comprises an upperengagement member 15, which engages the sleeve 6 at the upper end 6 a ofthe sleeve 6. The upper engagement member 15 comprises, or is formed as,an upper annular flange extending outwardly at least beyond an innerdiameter of an end surface of the upper end 6 a of the sleeve 6. Theannular flange of the upper engagement member 15 may extend radially orsubstantially radially outwardly with respect to the longitudinal centreaxis x. In the embodiment disclose, the annular flange of the upperengagement member 15 of the upper end portion 7 a abuts an outwardlybent part of the first material of the barrel portion 7 c, which in turnabuts the end surface of the upper end 6 a of the sleeve 6.

The sleeve 6 comprises a sealing ring 17 extending around an outersurface of the sleeve 6. The sealing ring 17 is configured to engage asurface, especially an end surface, of the connector 2, as will bedescribed below.

Moreover, the sleeve 6 comprises a hole 18 through the sleeve 6, orthrough the wall of the sleeve 6. The hole 18 permits a pulsating vacuumto be applied in the pulsation chamber 9. The hole 18 is providedbetween the sealing ring 17 and the lower end 6 b of the sleeve 6.

The lip member 3 is in the embodiment disclosed attached to the upperend portion 7 a of the teatcup liner 7, as can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2.The lip member 3 is preferably detachably attached to the cartridge 1 bya snap connection 19. In FIG. 2 the lip member 3 is shown in a detachedstate with respect to the teatcup liner 7 and the cartridge 1.Alternatively, the lip member 3 may be detachably attached to the sleeve6.

The lip member 3 comprises or forms a lip 20, which surrounds anddefines an opening 21 for the teat to the inner space 8. The lip 20 isalso made of a relatively elastic material, possibly a material havingsimilar or the same composition and/or properties as the first materialof the barrel portion 7 c.

It is to be noted that the lip member or the lip 20 as an alternativemay form an integrated part of the teatcup liner 7, preferably by beingpermanently joined to the upper end portion 7 a, or being manufacturedin one single piece with the upper end portion 7 a or with the teatcupliner 7.

The connector 2, see also FIG. 4, comprises a casing 24, which has abottom wall 25 and a surrounding wall 26 having an inner surface. Thecasing 24 defines a connection space 27. The bottom wall 25 is plane orsubstantially plane.

The connector 2, or the casing 24, comprises an inlet opening 28 for thecartridge 1 to the connection space 27, and an outlet opening 29 for themilk conduit 4. The outlet opening 29 extends through the bottom wall 25and is configured to receive and hold the milk conduit 4. In theembodiment disclosed, the longitudinal centre axis x extendsconcentrically through the casing 24 and through the inlet opening 28and the outlet opening 29, wherein the bottom wall 25 extendsperpendicularly, or substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinalcentre axis x.

The connector 2 is connected to the cartridge 1 by means of lockingmeans. The locking means is provided on the inner surface of thesurrounding wall 26. Corresponding locking means is provided on theouter side of the sleeve 6. The corresponding locking means is providedbetween the sealing ring 17 and the lower end 6b of the sleeve 6. Thelocking means may comprise on or more outer bayonet coupling parts 31 onthe inner surface of the casing 24. The corresponding locking means maycomprise one or more inner bayonet coupling parts 32 on the outersurface of the sleeve 6 of the cartridge 1. The outer bayonet couplingparts 31 and the inner bayonet coupling parts 32 form a bayonet couplingpermitting secure locking of the cartridge 1 in the connector 2.

Furthermore, the connector 2 comprises an outer shell 34 extendingbeyond the inlet opening 28 of the casing 24. The outer shell 34 istubular and attached to an end portion 24 a of the casing 24. Thepurpose of the outer shell 34 is to protect the cartridge 1. The outershell 34 may be made of a relatively rigid material, for instance asplastics or metal, such as stainless steel.

The casing 24 also comprises an aperture 35 extending through the casing24 into the connection space 27. Furthermore, the connector 2 or thecasing 24 comprises a holding member 36 configured to hold the pulseconduit 5 in a flow communication with the aperture 35 and the pulsatingchamber 9 via the hole 18 for communicating a pulsating vacuum to theconnection space 27 and to the pulsating chamber 9. The holding memberdefines a holding space, which is partly defined by a side wall 37 and abottom wall 38. An opening 39 extends through the bottom wall 38.

The milk conduit 4, or short milk conduit, see also FIG. 3, is tubularand comprises a first end portion 4 a defining a first end, a second endportion 4 b defining a second end, and a conduit portion 4 c between thefirst end portion 4 a and the second end portion 4 b. The milk conduit 4defines a milk channel 40 extending through the first end portion 4 a,the conduit portion 4 c and the second end portion 4 b.

The first end of the milk conduit 4 may be defined or formed by a plane,or substantially plane, end surface from which the milk channel 40extends.

The first end portion 4 a of the milk conduit 4 has an external taperingshape from the first end to the conduit portion 4 c. The milk conduit 4thus has a greater outer diameter at the first end compared to the outerdiameter at the conduit portion 4 c.

The first end portion 4 a is configured to be received in the outletopening 29 extending through the bottom wall 25 of the connector 2 ofthe teatcup. The first end portion 4 a comprises a first circumferentialgroove 41 configured to engage the bottom wall 25, see FIG. 1. The firstcircumferential groove 41 is positioned at a distance from the first endand at a distance from the conduit portion 4 c.

The milk channel 40 of the first end portion 4 a has an internaltapering shape from the first end towards the milk channel 40 of theconduit portion 4 c.

The second end portion 4 b comprises a second circumferential groove 42,which is configured to be received in any suitable milk-receiving memberor milk-collecting member, such as a claw, not disclosed. The secondcircumferential groove 42 is positioned at a distance from the secondend and at a distance from the conduit portion 4 c. Also the second endportion 4b has an external tapering shape from the second end to theconduit portion 4c.

The milk conduit 4 is made of a hose material having a relatively highelasticity in the order of the elasticity of the first material of thebarrel portion. For instance, the milk conduit 4 may be manufactured ofnatural rubber, black rubber, silicone rubber or ThermoplasticElastomers, TPE. The conduit portion 4 c comprises an bending area 43having a locally decreased outer diameter, and thus a locally increasedelasticity to provide a predetermined area for bending of the milkconduit 4.

Also the pulse conduit 5, see also FIG. 5, may be made of a hosematerial having a relatively high elasticity, possibly the same hosematerial as the material of the milk conduit 4. The pulse conduit 5 hasa attachment end portion 5 a to be engaged by the holding member 36. Thepulse conduit 5 defines or encloses a pulse channel 51 extending alongthe pulse conduit 5 through the attachment end portion 5 a. Theattachment end portion 5 a defines an opening 52 of the pulse channel51. When the pulse conduit 5 is engaged by the holding member 36, theopening 52 is positioned opposite to the opening 35 through the casing24.

The attachment end portion 5 a is configured to be received in anopening extending through the bottom wall 38 of the holding member 36.The attachment end portion 51 has a bottom surface 53 configured to abutthe bottom wall 38, see FIG. 1, when the pulse conduit 5 is mounted inthe connector 2.

The assembling of the teatcup is now to be described. One assemblingstep is to produce the cartridge 1, wherein the teatcup liner 7 ismounted in the sleeve 6. This mounting may be made in advance inconnection with the manufacturing of the teatcup. The teatcup liner 7 isthen pulled through the sleeve 6, wherein the lower end portion 7 b isintroduced at the upper end 6 a of the sleeve and pushed and pulleddownwardly so that the lower end portion 7 b passes the lower end 6 buntil the lower engagement member 14 snaps outwardly to abutment againstthe end surface of the lower end 6 of the sleeve 6. Thanks to the upperengagement member 15, the upper end portion 7 a will not pass throughthe upper end 6 a of the sleeve 6, but the engagement members 14 and 15secure that the teatcup liner 7 and its barrel portion 7 c is retainedin a stretched state in the sleeve 6. In the stretched state, theteatcup liner 7 is prolonged in comparison with a rest state, in whichthe teatcup liner 7 is not subjected to any external forces, i.e. beforethe teatcup liner 7 is mounted in the shell 6.

Thereafter the lip member 3 may be attached to the cartridge 1, whereinthe lip member 3 is pressed onto the upper end 6 a of the sleeve 6 sothat the snap connection 19 locks the lip member 3 in a detachablemanner on the cartridge 1.

The cartridge 1 is a replaceable component, together with or without thelip member 3, depending on the wear of the lip 21. The cartridge 1 andthe lip member 3 are the components of the teatcup that are subjected tosignificant wear.

A further assembling step is the assembling of the connector 1. Theouter shell 34 may be mounted to the casing 24 in advance or aftermounting of the milk conduit 5 and the pulse conduit 5. The milk conduit4 is mounted to the connector 2 by the introduction of the second endportion 4 b through the inlet opening 28 and then through the outletopening 29. The milk conduit 4 is then pulled through the connector 2until the lower wall 25 of the casing 24 snaps into the firstcircumferential groove 41. The tapering shape of the first end portion 4a facilitates the pulling of the milk conduit 4 into the snapping-inengagement.

In a similar manner, the pulse conduit 5 is mounted to the connector 2by being pulled through the holding member 36 until the bottom surface53 comes to abutment against the bottom wall 38, wherein the opening 52of the pulse channel 51 is opposite to the opening 35 through the casing24.

The teatcup is then present as two main components, namely the cartridge1 together with the lip member 3, and the connector 2 together with themilk conduit 4 and the pulse conduit 5. The milk conduit 4 and the pulseconduit 5 may be mounted to their respective components of the remainingmilking equipment in any suitable manner. The milk conduit 4 may forinstance be mounted by engagement of the second circumferential groove42.

Finally, these two main components are connected to each other. Thecartridge 1, with or without the lip member 3, is then introduced intothe connection space 27 of the connector 2 until the end nozzle 10penetrates the milk channel 40 at the first end portion 41, and abutstightly the wall of the milk channel 40. Thanks to the shape of the endnozzle 19 and to the relatively low elasticity of the end nozzle 10 incombination with the relatively high elasticity of the milk conduit 4 atight connection is achieved.

In this position of the cartridge 1 vis-à-vis the connector 2, the endsurface of the casing 24 will abut the sealing ring 17 so that the spaceformed between the sleeve 6 and the casing 24 is tightly sealed, therebypermitting proper communication of the pulsating vacuum. It is to benoted that the sealing ring 17 alternatively may be provided on theconnector 2, especially on the casing 24.

When the cartridge 1 has reach this position vis-à-vis the milk conduit,the cartridge is locked in the connector 2, by means of the bayonetcoupling, i.e. the coupling of the outer bayonet coupling part 31 andthe inner bayonet coupling part 32. This coupling may be achievedthrough a turning of the cartridge 1 in relation to the connector 2. Itis to be noted that the coupling and locking of the cartridge 1 to theconnector 2 may also be achieved by other locking means, e.g. a threadconnection.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed butmay be varied and modified within the scope of the following claims.

The terms “upper” and “lower” used in the description and the claimsrefer to the orientation disclosed in the figures and the approximateorientation when the teatcup is attached to the teat of an animal.

List of Reference Signs

1 cartridge

2 connector

3 lip member

4 milk conduit

4 a first end portion

4 b second end portion

4 c conduit portion

5 pulse conduit

5 a attachment end portion

6 sleeve

6 a upper end

6 b lower end

7 teatcup liner

7 a upper end portion

7 b lower end portion

7 c barrel portion

8 inner space

9 pulsation chamber

10 end nozzle

11 lower permanent joint

12 upper permanent joint

14 lower engagement member

15 upper engagement member

17 sealing ring

18 hole

19 snap connection

20 lip

21 opening

24 casing

25 bottom wall

26 surrounding wall

27 connection space

28 inlet opening

29 outlet opening

31 outer bayonet coupling part

32 inner bayonet coupling part

34 outer shell

35 aperture

36 holding member

37 side wall

38 bottom wall

40 milk channel

41 first circumferential groove

42 second circumferential groove

43 bending area

51 pulse channel

52 opening

53 attachment circumferential groove

1-14. (canceled)
 15. A teatcup assembly, comprising: i) a cartridge (1)comprising a sleeve (6) and a teatcup liner (7) mounted in the sleeve(6) thereby defining a) an inner space (8) for receiving the teat, andb) a pulsation chamber (9) between an inner side of the sleeve (6) andan outer side of the teatcup liner (7), the sleeve (6) having an upperend (6 a) and a lower end (6b), the teatcup liner (7) comprising anupper end portion (7 a) located at the upper end (6 a) of the sleeve(6), a barrel portion (7 c), and a lower end portion (7 b) located atthe lower end (6 b) of the sleeve (6), the barrel portion (7 c) being anintermediate tubular portion provided between and adjoining the upperend portion (7 a) and the lower end portion (7 b) and being a main partof the teatcup liner (7) that is in contact with the teat of the animalduring milking, the lower end portion (7 b) extending from a positionwithin the sleeve (6) and including an end nozzle (10) that extends awayfrom and beyond the lower end (6 b) of the sleeve (6), the end nozzle(10) defining an outlet from the inner space (8), the end nozzle (10)having a decreasing tapered external shape and a decreasing taperedinternal shape forming a decreasing tapered outlet for the milk from theinner space (8) of the teatcup liner (7); ii) a connector (2) having anouter wall, and a bottom wall (25) with an outlet opening (29) extendingthrough the bottom wall (25), the sleeve (6) of the cartridge (1) beingreleasably locked to the connector (2), via a locking unit located on a)an inner surface of the connector (2) and b) an outer surface of thesleeve (6), the teatcup having a longitudinal center axis (x) thatextends through and along a longitudinal length of the teatcup includingthe cartridge and the connector; and iii) a milk conduit (4) thattransports milk received from the end nozzle (10), the milk conduit (4)comprising a) a first end portion (4 a) defining a first end connectedto the connector (2), the first end portion (4 a) comprising an outwardfacing first circumferential groove (41) snap fit onto and engaging aninward facing edge of the bottom wall (25) that defines the outletopening (29) such that the outlet opening (29) receives the outwardfacing first circumferential groove (41) and holds the milk conduit (4)extending through the outlet opening (29), b) a second end portion (4 b)defining a second end, and c) a conduit portion (4 c) located betweenthe first end portion (4 a) and the second end portion (4 b), whereinthe milk conduit (4) defines a milk channel (40) extending through thefirst end portion (4 a), the conduit portion (4 c), and the second endportion (4 b), wherein the first end portion (4 a) further includes i)an external surface with a decreasing tapered external shape from thefirst end toward the conduit portion (4 c), the first circumferentialgroove (41) being located along the decreasing tapered external shape ofthe external surface, wherein the decreasing tapered external shape ofthe external surface facilitates mounting of the milk conduit by apulling movement to snap fit the first circumferential groove (41) ontoand engaging the edge of the bottom wall (25) at the outlet opening(29), and ii) an internal surface with a decreasing tapered internalshape from the first end towards the conduit portion (4 c), wherein thefirst circumferential groove (41) is located, in a cross section of thefirst end portion, surrounding internal surface with the decreasingtapered internal shape, wherein the decreasing tapered external shape ofthe end nozzle (10) is received in the internal surface with thedecreasing tapered internal shape of the first end portion (4 a) of themilk conduit (4), and wherein internal surface with the decreasingtapered internal shape of the first end portion (4 a) provides a radialseal with the decreasing tapered external shape of the end nozzle (10)received therein with the decreasing tapered external shape of the endnozzle (10) penetrating in tight abutment with the internal surface withthe decreasing tapered internal shape of the first end portion (4 a) ofthe milk conduit (4).
 16. The assembly according to claim 15, whereinthe first circumferential groove (41) is positioned at a distance fromthe first end and at a distance from the conduit portion (4 c) so thatfirst circumferential groove (41) is located intermediate the first endand the conduit portion (4 c).
 17. The assembly according to claim 15,wherein the second end portion (4 b) comprises a second circumferentialgroove (42).
 18. The assembly according to claim 17, wherein the secondcircumferential groove (42) is positioned at a distance from the secondend and at a distance from the conduit portion (4 c).
 19. The assemblyaccording to claim 15, wherein the second end portion (4 b) has anexternal tapered shape from the second end to the conduit portion (4 c).20. The assembly according to claim 15, wherein the milk conduit (4) iscomprised of a hose material having a relatively high elasticity. 21.The assembly according to claim 20, wherein the conduit portion (4 c)comprises a bending area (43) having a locally increased elasticity thatdefines a predetermined area for bending of the milk conduit (4). 22.The assembly according to claim 15, wherein, the connector (2) furthercomprises a casing (24), which defines a longitudinal center axis (x)and comprises i) the bottom wall (25), ii) the inner surface, the innersurface being located above the bottom wall and defining a connectionspace (27), iii) an inlet opening (28) located above and opening to theconnection space (27), and iv) the outlet opening (29) extending throughthe bottom wall (25) and receiving and holding the milk conduit (4). 23.The assembly according to claim 22, wherein the bottom wall (25) is aplane surface.
 24. The assembly according to claim 22, wherein thebottom wall (25) extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal center axis(x).
 25. The assembly according to claim 22, wherein the casing (24) ismade of a shell material having a high stiffness relative to the teatcupliner, and a low elasticity relative to the teatcup liner.
 26. Theassembly according to claim 22, wherein, the locking unit comprises i)outer bayonet coupling parts (31) located on the inner surface of theconnector (2), and ii) inner bayonet coupling parts (32) located on theouter surface of the sleeve (6), the outer and inner bayonet couplingparts (31, 32) together forming a bayonet coupling that locks the innersurface of the connector (2) to the outer surface of the sleeve (6) ofthe cartridge (1).
 27. The assembly according to claim 15, wherein, theconnector (2) further comprises a casing (24), which defines alongitudinal center axis (x) and comprises i) the bottom wall (25), ii)the inner surface, the inner surface being located above the bottom walland defining a connection space (27), iii) an inlet opening (28) locatedat a topmost edge of an end portion (24 a) of the casing above andopening to the connection space (27), and iv) the outlet opening (29)extending through the bottom wall (25) and receiving and holding themilk conduit (4), and an outer shell (34) extending beyond the inletopening (28) of the casing (24), overlapping an outside part of thetopmost edge of the casing (24), and attached to the end portion (24 a)of the casing (24).
 28. The assembly according to claim 27, wherein thelocking unit comprises outer bayonet coupling parts (31) located on theinner surface of the connector (2), and the sleeve (6) comprises innerbayonet coupling parts (32) forming a bayonet coupling with the outerbayonet coupling parts (31) located on the inner surface of theconnector (2).
 29. The assembly according to claim 27, wherein the lowerend portion (7 b) of the teatcup liner (7) comprises a lower annularengagement member (14) extending outward and having an upper surface inabutment with a lowermost edge of the lower end (6 b) of the sleeve (6)such that the barrel portion (7 c) of the teatcup liner (7) ismaintained in a stretched state in the sleeve (6).
 30. The assemblyaccording to claim 22, wherein the lower end portion (7 b) of theteatcup liner (7) comprises a lower annular engagement member (14)extending outward and having an upper surface in abutment with alowermost edge of the lower end (6 b) of the sleeve (6) such that thebarrel portion (7 c) of the teatcup liner (7) is maintained in astretched state in the sleeve (6).
 31. The assembly according to claim15, wherein the lower end portion (7 b) extends beyond the lower end (6b) of the sleeve (6) into the outlet opening (29) extending through thebottom wall of the connector (2).
 32. A milk conduit that transportsmilk and connects to a teatcup liner and to a teatcup that attaches to ateat of an animal to be milked, the milk conduit (4) comprising: a firstend portion (4 a), a second end portion (4 b), a conduit portion (4 c)located between the first and second end portions (4 a, 4 b), and a milkchannel (40) extending through the first end portion (4 a), the conduitportion (4 c), and the second end portion (4 b), the first end portion(4 a) defining a first end of the milk conduit that connects to aconnector (2) of the teatcup, the first end portion (4 a) comprising i)an outward facing first circumferential groove (41) that snap fits ontoand engages an inward facing edge of a bottom wall (25) of an outletopening (29) of the connector (2) such that the outlet opening (29)receives the outward facing first circumferential groove (41) and holdsthe milk conduit (4) extending through the outlet opening (29), ii) anexternal surface with a decreasing tapered external shape from the firstend toward the conduit portion (4 c), the first circumferential groove(41) being located along the decreasing tapered external shape of theexternal surface, wherein the decreasing tapered external shape of theexternal surface facilitates mounting of the milk conduit by a pullingmovement to snap fit the first circumferential groove (41) onto andengaging the edge of the bottom wall (25) at the outlet opening (29),and iii) an internal surface with a decreasing tapered internal shapefrom the first end towards the conduit portion (4 c), wherein the firstcircumferential groove (41) is located, in a cross section of the firstend portion, surrounding internal surface with the decreasing taperedinternal shape, and wherein the decreasing tapered internal shape of theinternal surface accepts, in a radial sealing manner, a decreasingtapered external shaped part of an end nozzle (10) of the teatcup linerto provide, at the first end portion (4 a), a tight abutmenttherebetween with the milk conduit connected to the teatcup liner and tothe teatcup.
 33. The milk conduit of claim 32 in combination with theteatcup liner and the teatcup, wherein the teatcup liner and the teatcupcomprise: i) a cartridge (1) comprising a sleeve (6) and the teatcupliner (7), the sleeve (6) having an upper end (6 a) and a lower end (6b), the teatcup liner (7) mounted in the sleeve (6), the teatcup liner(7) defining a) an inner space (8) for receiving the teat, and b) apulsation chamber (9) between an inner side of the sleeve (6) and anouter side of the teatcup liner (7), the teatcup liner (7) comprising anupper end portion (7 a) located at the upper end (6 a) of the sleeve(6), a barrel portion (7 c), and a lower end portion (7 b) located atthe lower end (6 b) of the sleeve (6), the barrel portion (7 c) being anintermediate tubular portion provided between and adjoining the upperend portion (7 a) and the lower end portion (7 b) and being a main partof the teatcup liner (7) that is in contact with the teat of the animalduring milking, the lower end portion (7 b) extending from a positionwithin the sleeve (6) and including the end nozzle (10) that extendsaway from and beyond the lower end (6 b) of the sleeve (6), the endnozzle (10) defining an outlet from the inner space (8), the end nozzle(10) having the decreasing tapered external shape and a decreasingtapered internal shape forming a decreasing tapered outlet for the milkfrom the inner space (8) of the teatcup liner (7); and ii) a connector(2) having an outer shell (34), and the bottom wall (25) with the outletopening (29) extending through the bottom wall (25), the sleeve (6) ofthe cartridge (1) being releasably locked to the connector (2), via alocking unit located on a) an inner surface of the connector (2) and b)an outer surface of the sleeve (6).
 34. The milk conduit of claim 32,wherein, the second end portion (4 b) comprises a second circumferentialgroove (42), the second circumferential groove (42) being positioned ata distance from the second end and at a distance from the conduitportion (4 c), the second end portion (4 b) has an external taperedshape from the second end to the conduit portion (4 c), the milk conduit(4) is comprised of a hose material having a relatively high elasticity,and the conduit portion (4 c) comprises a bending area (43) having alocally increased elasticity that defines a predetermined area forbending of the milk conduit (4).